Watercraft flotation device

ABSTRACT

A watercraft flotation device with an inflatable vessel and a strap system to selectively secure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft can provide sufficient buoyancy to raise the watercraft hull out of water. The strap system can limit movement of the inflatable vessel fore and aft relative to the watercraft hull. The flotation device can include a forward inflatable vessel and an aft inflatable vessel. The inflatable vessels are, in some embodiments, generally tubular and have inflation valves positioned near one end. The inflation valve can be coupled to an inflation pump such that air can be pumped into the inflatable vessel(s) to raise the watercraft hull. A system including multiple inflatable vessels and an inflation pump can be stored portably for transportation with the watercraft.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/837,346, entitled “WATERCRAFT FLOTATION DEVICE,”filed on Aug. 11, 2006. Also, the present application herebyincorporates by reference the above-identified provisional application,in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to the field of watercraft docking, andmore specifically to the raising of a boat from the water during timesof non-use.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mooring a boat or other watercraft to a dock has been known for hundredsof years. However, docking a watercraft for extended periods of time canlead to significant damage to the watercraft. While a boat sits inwater, its hull and running gear can become fouled. In fresh water,algae often grows on the hull and running gear. If the hull is notcleaned regularly, this algae growth can reduce fuel efficiency and marthe hull finish. In salt water, barnacles and other types of sea lifecan grow on the hull. These barnacles often cause temporary damage tothe hull finish and, if left alone for an extended period of time, majordamage to the hull itself. In addition, electrolysis occurs while theboat sits in salt water, which can harm metal components such aspropellers, shafts, trim tabs, engine seals, out-drives and rudders.Therefore, when a watercraft is docked for extended periods of time,extensive and often costly cleaning and maintenance is required toreduce the incidence of damage caused by exposure to still fresh or saltwater.

It has only been within the recent past that the technology has becomeavailable to raise a boat out of the water when not in use. Raising aboat out of water can reduce or completely remove the need for extensiveand costly maintenance otherwise required to reduce damage to a dockedwatercraft. A number of devices have been employed over the years toraise a boat out of water. Most have used some sort of large metal frameconstruction attached to one or more rigid buoyancy devices. The metalframe structure is raised or lowered, lifting the boat out of orlowering the boat into the water. The boat is cradled on the metalframe, and the rigid buoyancy device (usually a metal cylinder) isfilled with air from an air pump installed on the dock. When the boat islowered into the water, the process is reversed, i.e., the air is pumpedout of the rigid buoyancy device and the boat is lowered.

Other boat raising systems have included an enclosed, anchored, drive-oncushion-like air bladder. A multi-chambered air bladder is anchoredadjacent to a boat dock. A boat is driven on to the partially submergedmulti-chambered bladder, and a rear gate is closed to enclose the boatin the boat lift. A large, dock-mounted air pump pumps air into thebladder chambers to raise the boat out of the water.

At least one boat raising system has been proposed to lift the hull of aboat partially clear of the water such that a transom drain opening canclear the water. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965 to Laschincludes a pair of generally cylindrical inflatable bodies that can beinflated to raise the boat to drain water from the hull. FIG. 1illustrates a side view of such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many of the previous watercraft raising devices have several significantdrawbacks: 1) they are permanently or semi-permanently attached to thedock, not allowing easy transfer should a boat owner wish to relocatethe watercraft; 2) they require extensive technical expertise to installand therefore do not lend themselves to the do-it-yourselfer; 3) theyare expensive and do not financially lend themselves to an averagewatercraft user. Moreover, the Lasch System of U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,965is unable to raise the hull completely out of the water, if at all, dueto insufficient strapping restraint to prevent the inflatable bodiesfrom slipping off of the boat hull.

In various embodiments further described below, a watercraft flotationdevice can significantly reduce the risk of watercraft damage due toprolonged exposure to still water while also being transportable, easyto install and remove, and relatively inexpensive. In some embodiments,the flotation device comprises an inflatable vessel such as aninflatable tubular member or pontoon which is configured to be strappedto the watercraft. Multiple flotation devices can be strapped to awatercraft hull in a flotation system. Once strapped to the watercraft,the inflatable vessels can be inflated to raise the hull of thewatercraft out of water.

In certain embodiments, a flotation device for raising at least aportion of a watercraft hull out of water is provided. The flotationdevice comprises an inflatable vessel, and a strap system coupled to theinflatable vessel. The inflatable vessel is configured to be positionedunder the watercraft hull. The strap system is configured to selectivelysecure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft and to substantiallyprevent the inflatable vessel from moving longitudinally with respect tothe watercraft. The inflatable vessel is configured to receive a volumeof gas such that the inflatable vessel has an inflated state in whichthe inflatable vessel is buoyant.

In other embodiments, a flotation system for at least partially raisinga watercraft hull out of water is provided. The system comprises aforward inflatable vessel, an aft inflatable vessel, and a strap system.The forward inflatable vessel is configured to be positioned under thewatercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generallybetween and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of thehull. The aft flotation device comprises an inflatable vessel isconfigured to be positioned under the watercraft hull and configuredwhen so positioned to extend generally between and toward a port side ofthe hull to the hull and a starboard side of the hull. The strap systemis coupled to the forward and aft inflatable vessels and configured toselectively secure the inflatable vessels to the watercraft. The strapsystem comprises straps configured to extend at least partially in alongitudinal direction relative to the watercraft hull to substantiallyprevent the inflatable vessels from moving longitudinally with respectto the watercraft.

In other embodiments, a method for raising a watercraft hull out ofwater is provided. The method comprises: positioning a first inflatablevessel under the watercraft hull; securing the first inflatable vesselto the watercraft hull; positioning a second inflatable vessel under thewatercraft hull; securing the second inflatable vessel to the watercrafthull; inflating the first inflatable vessel; and inflating the secondinflatable vessel. A first strap is coupled to the first inflatablevessel near an end of the vessel, and securing the first vessel to thewatercraft hull is done with the first strap such that the strap extendsat least partially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hullto restrain the first vessel from moving longitudinally with respect tothe hull. A second strap is coupled to the second inflatable vessel nearan end of the second vessel, and securing the second vessel to thewatercraft hull is done with the second strap such that the second strapextends at least partially in the longitudinal direction to restrain thesecond vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the hull.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achievedover the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention havebeen described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that notnecessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordancewith any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example,those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may beembodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes oneadvantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarilyachieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggestedherein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of thepresent invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of thepresent invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart from the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentshaving reference to the attached figures, the invention not beinglimited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a prior art system for partiallyraising a boat hull to drain the hull;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a port side view of one embodiment of a system forraising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a systemfor raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat;

FIG. 7 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a systemfor raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a port side view of another embodiment of a systemfor raising a watercraft hull out of water as applied to a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In various embodiments discussed below, a device, system, and method areprovided for raising the hull of a watercraft such as a boat 100 out ofwater. This device is simple to use, can be easily transported fromdock-to-dock and is preferably adaptable to accommodate substantiallyany size pleasure boat.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art flotation system for partiallyraising a boat hull out of the water such that it can be drained througha transom drain. As illustrated in FIG. 1, two inflatable bodies 32 arecapable of partially raising the boat 10 from the water. One inflatablebody 32 is positioned near the bow 12 of the boat, and the other at thestern 14 of the boat. The inflatable bodies 32 extend generallylaterally under the hull of the boat 10 from a port side to a starboardside. The inflatable bodies 32 are strapped to the boat 10 by straps 34,36 extending generally laterally over the deck of the boat from the portside to the starboard side. Upon inflation of the bodies 32 through avalve 40, the boat 10 is partially raised such that the transom drain 26is clear of the water. With the transom drain 26 clear, water can bedrained from the hull.

However, the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 cannot be used to completely, if atall, raise the boat 10 hull from the water. The inflatable bodies 32 donot provide sufficient buoyancy to raise the boat 10 hull clear of thewater. Even when the bodies 32 are in a completely inflated state, thehull remains partially submerged. Furthermore, when supporting theboat's weight the inflated bodies 32 tend to slide longitudinally withrespect to the boat 10 and from slip off of the bow 12 or stern 14 ofthe boat. This sliding severely limits the ability of the inflatedbodies 32 to raise the boat hull even partially, such that it remainspartially submerged and buoyed by the surrounding water. Moreover, it isnearly impossible to raise the entire hull of the boat clear of thewater. Thus, the system of FIGS. 1 and 2 has significant shortcomingsthat would render it unworkable as a system to raise a boat hull withrespect to the water, especially completely clear of the water.

With reference to FIGS. 3-5, an embodiment of a system for raising awatercraft hull out of water that overcomes the aforementionedshortcomings of the prior art is illustrated. The system can include aforward flotation device and an aft flotation device secured withrespect to a boat.

Each flotation device can comprise an inflatable vessel 20 and a strap30 coupled to the inflatable vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, theinflatable vessel 20 is an inflatable tube approximately 2 feet indiameter and 8 feet in length. A tube of this size can encapsulateapproximately 16 cubic feet of air. However, this particular size andshape of the inflatable vessel 20 is merely exemplary. It iscontemplated that in other embodiments, the inflatable vessel can have adifferent geometry, such as a substantially rectangular cushion shape,or a contoured outer surface configured to nest with a boat hull. Theinflatable vessel 20 can be sized to provide a predetermined amount ofbuoyancy to raise a watercraft of a known weight out of the water.Various calculation techniques can be used to determine the size ofinflatable vessel 20 sufficient to raise a watercraft hull. For example,with knowledge of the volume of water a boat displaces in cubic feet andthe approximate weight of the boat, a volume of air sufficient to raisethe boat out of the water can be calculated.

In some embodiments, the inflatable vessel 20 can include a valve. Forexample, the valve 22 can be a Boston multi-valve allowing easyinflation and deflation of the inflatable vessel. The valve 22 can beconfigured to be fluidly coupled to an inflation pump 60 such that asupply of gas, such as, for example, air, can be pumped into theinflatable vessel 20. Advantageously, the inflation pump 60 can beportable such that it can be easily carried aboard the watercraft,rather than requiring permanent or semi-permanent dock mounting. Theinflatable vessel 20 can be attached to the watercraft by means ofstraps 30 such as ballistic nylon web straps. The straps 30 can becoupled to the inflatable vessel 20 adjacent ends of the inflatablevessel 20. The straps 30 can be coupled to the vessel 20 at a reinforcedportion 38 of the vessel 20. The reinforced portion 38 can extend partway circumferentially around the vessel 20. The straps 30 can be pulledup the sides and across the top of the watercraft. The straps 30 can beused to selectively secure the inflatable vessel 20 to the watercraft.For example, the straps 30 can include a buckle 31 such as a plasticquick release buckle configured to allow resizing and cinching of thestraps 30 to selectively join two ends of the straps 30. The straps 30can then be clipped together at an upper surface of the watercraft usingthe plastic buckle. The straps 30 can be cinched tightly prior toinflation of the inflatable vessel 20 to restrict movement of theflotation device.

In the exemplary system described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 3-5,two flotation devices including two inflatable vessels 20 are used. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a forward inflatable vessel 20 is positionedslightly aft of the bow and an aft inflatable vessel 20 slightly forwardof full aft. In some embodiments, the aft inflatable vessel ispositioned approximately 2 feet forward of full aft, and the forwardinflatable vessel 20 is positioned slightly aft of the bow chine. Withinflatable vessels 20 having the substantially tubular geometry anddimensions described in the example above, a boat 100 weighingapproximately 2,500 lbs. can be raised out of the water with theillustrated two flotation device system. A heavier boat (for example, aboat exceeding 3,000 lbs.) could be raised with a flotation systemcomprising three inflatable vessels, for example, positioned forward,center, and aft. Alternately, a heavier boat could be raised with twoinflatable vessels having greater volumes and therefore greater buoyantcapacity than the above-described example. In other embodiments, thewatercraft flotation system can be used to raise still larger boats withinflatable vessels 20 of varying diameter and length. It will beappreciated that the number, shape, and capacity of the vessels canvary, based upon the size, shape, and weight of the boat.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3-5, the system includes astabilization strap system 50 coupled to the inflatable vessels 20 tolimit the movement of the inflatable vessels 20 relative to thewatercraft. In the illustrated embodiment, the stabilization strap 50comprises a first strap 41 and a second strap 42 intersectingtransversely at the inflatable vessel 20 such that the straps 41, 42 arearranged in a generally V-shaped orientation to limit movement of theinflatable vessel 20 relative to the watercraft 100. Specifically, theV-shaped orientation can limit a tendency of the inflatable vessel 20 tomove fore and aft relative to the boat 100 as it is inflated. With theV-shaped orientation, the straps 41, 42 each extend a longitudinal (foreand aft relative to the boat 100) direction as well as a verticaldirection (up and down relative to the waterline). The straps 41, 42 arearranged such that movement of an inflatable vessel 20 in a fore or aftdirection would create tension in one of the straps 41, 42, due to thelongitudinal component of its span, tending to arrest the fore and aftmovement of the inflatable vessel 20.

When the first and second straps 41, 42 are secured to the boat hull,forming a generally V-shaped orientation, the first strap 41 ispositioned to form angle α₁ with respect to a vertical orientation, andthe second strap 42 is positioned to form angle α₂ with respect to avertical orientation. In some embodiments, angles α₁ and α₂ are betweenapproximately 10 degrees and 80 degrees. Desirably, angles α₁ and α₂ arebetween approximately 30 degrees and 60 degrees. More desirably, anglesα₁ and α₂ are between approximately 40 degrees and 50 degrees. In someembodiments, α₁ and α₂ are substantially equal to one another, in otherembodiments, α₁ and α₂ are different from one another.

In some embodiments, the first and second straps 41, 42 can be coupledto the inflatable vessel 20 at the reinforced portion 38. In otherembodiments, such as are illustrated in FIG. 4, the first and secondstraps 41, 42, can be coupled to the vessel 20 at other locations.

While a V-shaped orientation of straps 41, 42 is illustrated, it iscontemplated that other stabilization strap system 50 arrangements couldlikewise reduce or arrest the ability of the inflatable vessel to movelongitudinally. As illustrated, the straps 41, 42 may be configured toattach to the watercraft, such as on a cleat or rail of the watercraft.Further, in the illustrated embodiment, each inflatable vessel caninclude straps 41, 42 on each of the port and starboard sides of theinflatable vessel to couple to a cleat or rail on the correspondingside. It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the first and secondstraps 41, 42 can extend over the watercraft and attach to oppositesides of the inflatable vessel 20.

In a flotation system comprising a forward flotation device and an aftflotation device, the stabilization strap system 50 can include firstand second straps 41, 42 stabilizing the forward flotation device withrespect to the watercraft and third and fourth straps 43, 44 stabilizingthe aft flotation device with respect to the watercraft. Straps 43, 44for stabilizing the aft flotation device can be similar to the straps41, 42 described above with respect to the forward flotation device. Insome embodiments, the first and second straps 41, 42 and/or the thirdand fourth straps 43, 44 may be coupled to the inflatable vessels 20 atlocations that are approximately horizontally opposed on the inflatablevessels 20. For example, in some embodiments the straps 42 and 44 on oneor both of the vessels 20 can be connected to the vessels 20 atpositions corresponding to, in the view of FIG. 3, approximately 30-120degrees, more preferably approximately 30-90 degrees, and even morepreferably approximately 30-60 degrees clockwise rotation from anuppermost point of the vessel 20. Likewise, in some embodiments thestraps 41 and 43 on one or both of the vessels 20 can be connected tothe vessels 20 at positions corresponding to, in the view of FIG. 3,approximately 240-330 degrees, more preferably approximately 270-330degrees, and even more preferably approximately 300-330 degreesclockwise from the uppermost point of the vessel 20. In otherembodiments, other connection locations on the vessels 20 for the strapsare possible.

As illustrated, the stabilization straps may further comprise a fifthstrap 45 coupled to the forward inflatable vessel and the aft inflatablevessel to limit the range of movement of the inflatable vessels 20 withrespect to each other. Advantageously, the stabilization strap system 50maintains the position of the flotation system on the watercraft whilethe watercraft hull is being raised out of the water without addingundue complexity to the system.

Although FIGS. 3-5 illustrate one arrangement of straps 41, 42, 43, 44,45 of stabilization strap system 50, it is contemplated that other straparrangements can be used in a flotation system to limit movement of theflotation system relative to the watercraft and limit movement of theinflatable vessels 20 relative to each other. For example, in aflotation system embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the flotation systemcan have a stabilization strap system 50 comprising straps 41, 42, 43,44, 45 configured as described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5, but nostraps 30. In another embodiment of a flotation system, illustrated inFIG. 7, the flotation system can have a stabilization strap system 50including the fore-most strap 41, the aft-most strap 44, and a strap 45connecting the fore inflatable vessel 20 to the aft inflatable vessel20. In another embodiment of a flotation system, illustrated in FIG. 8,the flotation system can comprise a stabilization strap system 50including straps 41, 42, 43, and 44 but without a strap 45 connectingthe fore inflatable vessel 20 to the aft inflatable vessel 20. Theseembodiments are merely illustrative, and it is contemplated that stillother embodiments can be made having some or all of the straps 30 andstabilization straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 discussed herein.

In each of the aforementioned embodiments, it will be appreciated thatanother set of straps 41, 42, 43, and 44 may be provided at thestarboard side of the boat. Each embodiment can include just a singlestrap 45 (e.g., midway along the boat width) or two or more straps 45(e.g., one strap 45 at each side of the boat). Thus, in an embodiment offlotation system having two inflatable vessels 20, as illustrated inFIGS. 3-5 with starboard straps corresponding to each of the illustratedport straps 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, the stabilization strap system 50 caninclude ten stabilization straps. In other embodiments, thestabilization strap system can include fewer than ten straps (e.g., ninestraps if only one strap 45 is used).

The systems described herein can be used to raise a watercraft hull outof water in a method of raising a watercraft hull. The inflatablevessels 20 are positioned under the hull of the watercraft and securedto the watercraft with the straps 30 and the stabilization strap system50. The inflatable vessels 20 are inflated with an inflation pump 60,preferably one that is portable. The inflation pump can be fluidlycoupled to a valve 22 on the inflatable vessel 20 to allow theinflatable vessel 20 to receive a supply of gas from the pump 60. Topromote stability of the watercraft while it is being raised, theforward most inflatable vessel 20 can be inflated first. Inflatablevessels 20 positioned further aft are then inflated. The watercraft hullis completely lifted out of the water upon inflation of the last vessel20.

When desired, the watercraft can be lowered into the water, by reversingthe inflation steps. To lower the watercraft, the inflatable vessels 20are allowed to deflate by releasing the valves 22 or pumping air out ofthe inflatable vessels 20, such as with the pump 60. To promotestability of the watercraft during this lowering process, the aft mostinflatable vessel can be deflated first, followed by deflation of moreforward inflatable vessels 20.

The devices, systems, and methods described herein advantageously allowa watercraft owner to easily and economically achieve out-of-waterstorage for the watercraft hull. Moreover, the system described hereinis simple, relatively low cost, and easily transportable. The inflatablevessels 20 and/or the straps may be lashed to the dock, allowing foreasy exit/entrance of the boat. Also, if pulling the boat out of thewater, the vessels 20 and/or straps can be removed, rolled up and storedfor later use at either the same or an alternate location. Alternately,the inflatable vessels 20, straps, and inflation pump 60 can be rolledup and stored on the boat such that the boat hull can be raised out ofthe water as desired at any dock location.

Although certain embodiments and examples have been described herein, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that many aspects of thedevices, systems, and methods shown and described in the presentdisclosure may be differently combined and/or modified to form stillfurther embodiments. Additionally, it will be recognized that themethods described herein may be practiced using any system or devicesuitable for performing the recited steps. Such alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the devices, systems, and methods described above andobvious modifications and equivalents thereof are intended to be withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scopeof the present invention should not be limited by the particularembodiments described above.

1. A flotation device for raising at least a portion of a watercrafthull out of water, the flotation device comprising: an inflatable vesselconfigured to be positioned under the watercraft hull; and a strapsystem coupled to the inflatable vessel and configured to selectivelysecure the inflatable vessel to the watercraft and to substantiallyprevent the inflatable vessel from moving longitudinally with respect tothe watercraft; wherein the inflatable vessel is configured to receive avolume of gas such that the inflatable vessel has an inflated state inwhich the inflatable vessel is buoyant.
 2. The flotation device of claim1, wherein the flotation device further comprises a valve configured toreceive a supply of gas to inflate the inflatable vessel.
 3. Theflotation device of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises aplurality of straps configured to extend partially longitudinally withrespect to the hull to substantially prevent the vessel from movinglongitudinally with respect to the hull.
 4. The flotation device ofclaim 1, in combination with and applied to said watercraft.
 5. Theflotation device of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises firstand second straps connected to the vessel and configured to form agenerally V-shaped portion of a strap system on a port or starboard sideof the watercraft when the flotation device is applied to thewatercraft.
 6. The flotation device of claim 5, wherein the first strapis coupled to the inflatable vessel at a position approximately 30-120degrees clockwise rotation from an uppermost point on the inflatablevessel and wherein the second strap is coupled to the inflatable vesselat a position approximately 240-330 degrees clockwise rotation from theuppermost point on the inflatable vessel.
 7. The flotation device ofclaim 5, wherein the first strap and the second strap are eachconfigured to couple to a cleat on the watercraft.
 8. The flotationdevice of claim 1, wherein the strap system comprises one or more strapsattached to the inflatable vessel and configured to collectively extendacross an upper surface of the watercraft from a port side to astarboard side of the watercraft.
 9. A flotation system for at leastpartially raising a watercraft hull out of water, the system comprising:a forward inflatable vessel configured to be positioned under thewatercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generallybetween and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of thehull; an aft inflatable vessel configured to be positioned under thewatercraft hull and configured when so positioned to extend generallybetween and toward a port side of the hull and a starboard side of thehull; and a strap system coupled to the forward and aft inflatablevessels and configured to selectively secure the inflatable vessels tothe watercraft, the strap system comprising straps configured to extendat least partially in a longitudinal direction relative to thewatercraft hull to substantially prevent the inflatable vessels frommoving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft.
 10. The flotationsystem of claim 9, in combination with and applied to said watercraft.11. The flotation system of claim 9, further comprising an inflationpump configured to inflate the inflatable vessels of the forwardflotation device and the aft flotation device.
 12. The flotation systemof claim 9, further comprising a center inflatable vessel configured tobe positioned underneath the hull and to extend generally from andbetween the port and starboard sides of the hull, wherein the strapsystem is coupled to the center vessel and configured to selectivelysecure the center vessel to the watercraft, the strap system comprisingstraps configured to extend at least partially in a longitudinaldirection relative to the watercraft hull to substantially prevent thecenter vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to the watercraft.13. The flotation system of claim 9, wherein the strap system comprises:a first strap and a second strap connected to the forward vesselproximate a port-side end of the forward vessel, the first and secondstraps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strapsystem on the port side of the watercraft when the flotation system isapplied to the watercraft; a third strap and a fourth strap connected tothe aft vessel proximate a port-side end of the aft vessel, the thirdand fourth straps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of thestrap system on the port side of the watercraft when the flotationsystem is applied to the watercraft; a fifth strap and a sixth strapconnected to the forward vessel proximate a starboard-side end of theforward vessel, the fifth and sixth straps configured to form agenerally V-shaped portion of the strap system on the starboard side ofthe watercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft;and a seventh strap and an eighth strap connected to the aft vesselproximate a starboard-side end of the aft vessel, the seventh and eighthstraps configured to form a generally V-shaped portion of the strapsystem on the starboard side of the watercraft when the flotation systemis applied to the watercraft.
 14. The flotation system of claim 13,wherein the strap system further comprises a ninth strap coupled to theforward vessel and the aft vessel and configured to limit movement ofthe forward vessel relative to the aft vessel.
 15. The flotation systemof claim 9, wherein the strap system comprises: a first strap connectedto the forward vessel proximate a port-side end of the forward vessel,the first strap configured to extend at least partially forward relativeto the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system is applied tothe watercraft; a second strap connected to the aft vessel proximate aport-side end of the aft vessel, the second strap configured to extendat least partially aft relative to the hull of the watercraft when theflotation system is applied to the watercraft; a third strap connectedto the forward vessel proximate a starboard-side end of the forwardvessel, the third strap configured to extend at least partially forwardrelative to the hull of the watercraft when the flotation system isapplied to the watercraft; a fourth strap connected to the aft vesselproximate a starboard-side end of the aft vessel, the fourth strapconfigured to extend at least partially aft relative to the hull of thewatercraft when the flotation system is applied to the watercraft; and afifth strap coupled to the forward vessel and the aft vessel andconfigured to limit movement of the forward vessel relative to the aftvessel.
 16. A method for raising a watercraft hull out of water, themethod comprising: positioning a first inflatable vessel under thewatercraft hull, a first strap being coupled to the first inflatablevessel near an end of the vessel; securing the first vessel to thewatercraft hull with the first strap such that the strap extends atleast partially in a longitudinal direction with respect to the hull torestrain the first vessel from moving longitudinally with respect to thehull; positioning a second inflatable vessel under the watercraft hull,a second strap being coupled to the second inflatable vessel near an endof the second vessel; securing the second vessel to the watercraft hullwith the second strap such that the second strap extends at leastpartially in the longitudinal direction to restrain the second vesselfrom moving longitudinally with respect to the hull; inflating the firstinflatable vessel; and inflating the second inflatable vessel.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein inflating the first and second vesselscomprises: providing a portable pump; operatively coupling the portablepump to the first inflatable vessel; operating the portable pump tosupply gas to the first inflatable vessel; operatively coupling theportable pump to the second inflatable vessel; and operating theportable pump to supply gas to the second inflatable vessel.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein securing the first and second vessels to thewatercraft hull comprises tying the first and second straps to cleats onthe watercraft.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein inflating the firstand second inflatable vessels causes the watercraft hull to be raisedcompletely out of the water.
 20. The method of claim 16, whereinsecuring the first vessel to the watercraft hull comprises strapping thefirst vessel to the watercraft hull with the first strap and a thirdstrap coupled to the first vessel near said end of the first vessel,such that the first strap and the third strap form a generally V-shapedportion of a strap system; and wherein securing the second vessel to thewatercraft hull comprises strapping the second vessel to the watercrafthull with the second strap and a fourth strap coupled to the secondvessel near said end of the second vessel, such that the second strapand the fourth strap form a generally V-shaped portion of the strapsystem.
 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising using a centerstrap to restrain movement of the first vessel relative to the secondvessel, the center strap being coupled to both the first vessel and thesecond vessel.